Auguste Rodin The Thinker miniature

In celebration of The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin, this miniature sculpture is a detailed replica of Auguste Rodin’s celebrated artwork, The Thinker, 1904. Packaged in a small wooden crate, a tiny version of those used by Musée Rodin to transport artworks, it’s a beautiful ornamental piece.

The reproduction is accompanied by a history of the original work.

Auguste Rodin’s figure, deep in thought, is one of his most celebrated works – so much so that the image of the work has become a universally recognised symbol of human thought. Originally called ‘The Poet’, its now famous title was given to it by foundry workers, who noted its similarity to Michelangelo's Il Pensieroso, a statue of Lorenzo de Medici.

The symbol and description ‘Reproduction - miniature - Musée Rodin’ guarantee the authenticity of the piece, and it’s accompanied by a text on the history of the work. In collaboration with Musée Rodin, it’s part of our collection celebrating The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin at Tate Modern. The first exhibition to focus on the importance of plaster in his work, it focuses on Rodin’s practice as a modeller, who captured movement, light and volume in pliable materials such as clay and plaster.



About the artist

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a French sculptor, draughtsman and engraver. After failing to obtain entry to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, he worked for some years as an ornamental mason and continued his own work in the evenings. He had his first one-man exhibition with Monet in 1889, but full recognition only came after he organised a large exhibition of his works during the Paris International Exhibition of 1900. He is largely considered to be one of the founders of modern sculpture. Tate holds several of his works in the collection, including The Kiss, 1901–4.

• Artist Auguste Rodin
• Artwork The Thinker
• Exhibition The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin
• Dimensions H 14, W 6, D 10 cm
• Material Resin with bronze patina